First Open Source Gnostic Church

From Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis

Our church, Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis, or Universal Gnostic Church, is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of Light, Life, Love, and Liberty through alignment with the Law of Thelema. Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis (EGnU) was founded by a College of Bishops on the Fourth of July in the Year 2000 C.E.

Membership in Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis is available through baptism, confirmation, and dedication; advancement is independent of and does not require membership in or affiliation with any particular Order. It is a Church wherein all Thelemites may work together.

Much has been written about the history of the Gnostic Church, the value of apostolic succession, and other similar issues by those bent on proving the validity and authority of their own particular lineage and church. However, in Classical Gnosticism, the historical continuum of the visible cosmos was regarded as a creation of inferior and anti-spiritual ruling powers, the Archons. As such they considered it a prison in which the spirit or Divine Spark is trapped in exile. They believed that the goal of existence is to extract the sparks trapped in matter, so that they can return to their true spiritual home.

Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis does not accept or practice this extreme dualistic form of Classical Gnosticism. We acknowledge, as does Tantric theory, that the material elements, properly used, can assist us on the path to Gnosis. Yet there may be an element of truth to the myth of the Archons -- the desire for power and authority over others may hinder not only ones own spiritual progress, but may also become an obstacle for those who submit to that authority.

On the other hand, the value of the direct transmission from master to student of the essence of a spiritual practice cannot be denied. As the aim of Gnosticism is spiritual evolution, which in our opinion flourishes best in a heterogenous environment, our Bishops have received and worked transmission from a wide variety of sources: Wicca, The Golden Dawn, Ordo Templi Orientis, the Horus-Maat Lodge, the Nath and Kaula Tantras of India, and the Vajrayana Tantras of Tibet.

Thus, while following in the tradition of the Gnostic Churches of the past and present, such as l'Église Gnostique de France, l'Église Gnostique Universelle, and Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, we embrace a wider definition of Gnosis and inherit a colorful phantasmagoria of rites and rituals from the many gnostic traditions of the world.

If you are interested in our church, we invite you to join the Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis Community on LiveJournal where you can learn by interacting with members of the church.